Last updated 3 weeks ago
There is a lack of open source bridge protocols and software for the Cardano Ecosystem. This limits the effectiveness of a robust sidechain ecosystem.
This is the total amount allocated to Interoperability and Cross-chain communication for Cardano: VISTA (Verified Interchain Secure Transfer Architecture). 1 out of 5 milestones are completed.
1/5
VISTA Design and Architecture Documentation
Cost: ₳ 75,000
Delivery: Month 2 - May 2024
2/5
VISTA Development - Cardano Indexer
Cost: ₳ 75,000
Delivery: Month 4 - Jul 2024
3/5
VISTA Development: Cardano Mirror
Cost: ₳ 43,467
Delivery: Month 5 - Aug 2024
4/5
VISTA Development + Implementation: Relayer
Cost: ₳ 55,200
Delivery: Month 6 - Sep 2024
5/5
VISTA Documentation, POC, Audit, and Closeout
Cost: ₳ 49,067
Delivery: Month 7 - Oct 2024
NB: Monthly reporting was deprecated from January 2024 and replaced fully by the Milestones Program framework. Learn more here
Living Greens Urban Farm
Develop and open source a Cardano cross-chain communication protocol based on Inter blockchain communication standards to enhance interoperability of sidechains and the greater blockchain ecosystem.
No Dependencies
All software and documentation developed under this proposal will be released under a Creative Commons 4.0 International Attribution License. Meaning that anyone is free to use the software in any way they see fit as long as they credit the original authors.
Abstract
The VISTA (Verified Interchain Secure Transfer Architecture) protocol will enhance interoperability and enable seamless data exchange between various blockchains and Cardano. This solution goes beyond token transfers, fostering innovation, collaboration, and communication across different platforms, ensuring a robust and secure communication bridge.
Problem
There is currently a lack of open source software and standardized protocols to enable seamless communication and interoperability between the Cardano blockchain and other blockchains. This severely limits the ability to build robust cross-chain applications and solutions. For example, an application built on a Cardano sidechain may need to integrate with EVM or TenderMint to leverage access to other blockchain services. Without open and standardized bridge protocols, each integration becomes a bespoke effort, increasing costs and technical debt.
Interoperability unlocks network effects and allows Cardano-based applications to harness the unique capabilities of other chains. However, proprietary bridge protocols create single points of failure, security risks, commercial dependencies, and closed ecosystems. There is a need for open, secure, and decentralized solutions to connect Cardano with the emerging multi-chain future.
Solution
We propose developing VISTA (Verified Interchain Secure Transfer Architecture), an open source protocol to enable decentralized and trustless communication between the Cardano blockchain and other major blockchains. Based on interoperability standards, VISTA will provide the essential messaging, security, and data transfer frameworks required for seamless cross-chain integrations.
The open source release under permissive licensing lowers the barrier to entry for developers and projects building cross-chain solutions on Cardano. VISTA eliminates commercial dependencies and provides flexibility to interface with any blockchain. Strict verification processes and a robust cryptographic design minimize security risks inherent in bridge protocols.
VISTA development will occur across six milestones - delivering design specifications, initial software, testnet implementation on Cardano and a sidechain, extensive functionality testing, and comprehensive documentation. The culmination of this phased rollout will be an enterprise-grade interoperability protocol capable of serving as the backbone for a wide range of Cardano-based cross-chain applications.
With VISTA, Cardano can expand its ecosystem reach and position itself at the center of blockchain interoperability - the crucial next step for the technology. Projects can choose their ideal development platform while still harnessing Cardano for settlement. And enterprises can leverage the strengths of multiple chains to build formerly impossible solutions, with Cardano facilitating trust and transfer of value.
VISTA will broaden the Cardano ecosystem by showcasing the feasibility of cross-chain communication. This expansion will foster the growth of a diverse network of partner and sidechains, enriching the community and positioning Cardano as a leader in the evolving blockchain landscape.
Our team comprises seasoned professionals with diverse expertise in blockchain development, standards authoring, and strategic leadership. With a collective wealth of experience, we have successfully undertaken and delivered projects in the blockchain space.
Team members have actively contributed to the advancement of blockchain technologies, showcasing a deep understanding of the intricacies involved. This includes collaborative efforts on impactful projects that demonstrate technical proficiency and a track record of success.
Beyond the blockchain sector, our team has made significant contributions to global organizations, reflecting a commitment to innovation and strategic leadership. Our members have a proven ability to adapt and excel in dynamic environments, essential for the success of complex projects.
To ensure the feasibility of our approach, we will leverage our combined technical expertise, conduct thorough testing, and implement stringent verification processes. The team's commitment to transparency, coupled with past successes, positions us well to manage funds responsibly and deliver on the proposed project with accountability and trust.
VISTA Design and Architecture
Outputs:
Acceptance criteria:
Evidence of Completion:
VISTA Development
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria:
Evidence of Completion:
VISTA Implementation - Cardano
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria:
Evidence of Completion:
VISTA Implementation - Agrologos
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria:
Evidence of Completion:
VISTA Testing and Optimization
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria:
Evidence of Completion:
VISTA Documentation and Community Engagement
Outputs:
Acceptance Criteria:
Evidence of Completion:
Adam Dean: Adam Dean is a seasoned developer with a wealth of experience in the dynamic field of blockchain technology. His expertise extends to the Cardano blockchain ecosystem, where he serves as a standards author, contributing to the development of protocols that underpin this cutting-edge platform. Known for his passion for innovation, Adam excels at being on the ground floor of new projects, consistently seeking ways to optimize existing processes. As a seasoned professional, he brings a visionary outlook to the integration of blockchain into our daily lives, striving for a future where technology is not just groundbreaking but also user-friendly and accessible to all.
Lloyd Duhon: Lloyd Duhon is a husband, father of 8, Grandfather (“Pop-Pop”) to 2, and a 100% service connected disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army in the 1990s. Lloyd was deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope in 1992. After suffering a brain injury due to a toxic exposure, Lloyd left the military to focus on a career in Information technology.
This 25 year career spanned Internet Service industries and Medical industries. Lloyd was named Chief Technology Officer for several Internet Startups. Lloyd was the Director of Information Systems for a medical transcription company that employed 1200 Medical Transcriptionists. Lloyd later founded an information technology lifecycle management and e-waste disposal service, Computer Heaven of SWFL. Due to complications from the brain injury, Lloyd was forced to close Computer Heaven, and focus on his healing.
Lloyd and his wife Melannie watched the pandemic unfold and saw the significant issues of disruption of the supply chains and the resultant food insecurity that was exacerbated by these conditions. Seeing an opportunity to better safeguard their family and community, Lloyd and Melannie built several iterations of systems to grow produce indoors at home. After finding the nutritional aspects of microgreens, and an inexpensive, repeatable, easy to manage process for growing them, Lloyd and Melannie founded Living Greens Urban Farm and began marketing both live microgreens and growing kits to the Southwest Florida area. By combining technology, sustainability practices, and community resilience, the Duhon family hopes that Living Greens Urban Farm will be an answer for food insecurity now and into the future.
Paul Spata: As a seasoned Full-stack Software Developer, ML Architect, DevOps Engineer, and Development Director, Paul brings over two decades of expertise to the dynamic intersection of technology, business, and science. An innovator, strategist, and entrepreneur, Paul has consistently delivered proven results across diverse technical domains. Notable among his recent accomplishments is being named the "Client of the Year" at the 2017 SCORE Tip of the Mitt awards, alongside developing a cutting-edge SDK for real-time driver tracking and visualization for an industry-leading client. His prowess extends to winning two awards in the 'Best App Ever' competition in the Social Networking and Reference categories.
Paul is adept at independently designing, coding, administering, and managing software development, utilizing modern tech, time-proven patterns, and best practices. His true passion, however, lies in collaborative teamwork, where he excels in agile leadership techniques, solid planning, and iterative progress. Connected with a roster of skilled technicians, Paul is poised for the next ambitious opportunity.
Milestone 1: 6 Weeks, $15,680 USD (52,267 ADA @ $0.30)
Milestone 2: 6 Weeks, $30,120 USD (100,400 ADA @ $0.30)
Milestone 3: 2 Weeks, $7,920 USD (26,400 ADA @ $0.30)
Milestone 4: 2 Weeks, $4,320 USD (14,400 ADA @ $0.30)
Milestone 5: 4 Weeks, $16,560 USD (55,200 ADA @ $0.30)
Final Milestone (Closeout): 4 Weeks, $14,720 USD (49,067 ADA @ $0.30)
Development Total: $67,800
Project Management Total: $10,800
Technical Writing Total: $6,720
Graphic Designer Total: $4,000
Total Budget: $89,320 USD / 297,734 ADA @ $0.30
Total Time Estimate:
The VISTA protocol will bring value to the Cardano ecosystem by empowering an extensive network of cross-chain communication and interoperability. This interoperability will enable previously difficult or impossible enterprise blockchain solutions to be built atop Cardano with the financial settlement layer occurring on Cardano mainnet.